A former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has officially resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing the deteriorating state of the nation as his reason for the defection.
Malami announced his departure in a personally signed statement titled “To the Good People of Kebbi and Fellow Nigerians”, released on Wednesday. In it, he revealed that the decision followed “wide consultations and deep personal reflection,” emphasizing that it was neither driven by personal ambition nor anger, but by “love for our nation and concern for the hardship our people are facing daily.”
“Nigeria is bleeding,” Malami declared. “Insecurity has taken over our homes, especially in the North. Banditry, kidnappings, and terrorism have become part of our lives while the government prioritises politics over the safety of its citizens.”
The former minister painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s economic realities, noting the sharp rise in food prices, widespread unemployment, and declining living standards.
“Our economy is in shambles. Prices of basic food items have tripled. The poor can no longer feed their families. Jobs are disappearing. Young people are hopeless,” he lamented.
Malami also criticized the Tinubu-led administration’s governance style, accusing it of sidelining competence in favor of political loyalty.
“Governance has been abandoned. Appointments, projects, and policies are now guided by political loyalty and not national interest,” he said. “I cannot remain part of a system that watches in silence as Nigerians suffer and die.”
Malami’s defection is the latest high-profile shift to the ADC, which has recently gained momentum with prominent figures like David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola assuming key leadership roles in the party’s emerging coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
